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Samsung Unveils 'The Wall' - a Massive 146" MLED TV

by John Lister on January, 10 2018 at 01:01PM EST

Samsung has unveiled a massive 146" television, nicknamed "The
Wall" (pic). While the size is clearly too large for most homes, it uses a new approach that could mean more choices about
television set size in future.

Most TV sets these days use liquid-crystal displays
(LCD). In simple terms, these TV's shine light through tiny crystals that - depending on their electric charge
- either pass through and color the light, or simply show a black background that's behind the screen.

Samsung's
new screen is currently a prototype only. It instead uses what calls a MicroLED display, in which each "pixel" in the picture is actually made up of a set of tiny colored LED lights. These each shine on or off, combining to make the required color for the pixel.

Screen Is Like Mini-Billboard

In effect, the system is the same that is used for giant video billboards that you might see in Las Vegas or Times Square. The difference is that each LED in the TV screen is around a
millimeter square, meaning the picture is sharp even from a few feet away. There's also some clever technology that means that the LEDs don't emit excessive heat that would compromise the TV and waste energy. (Source: cnet.com)

One of the keys to the screen is that it's not a continuous unit. Normally each layer of the various part of a TV set has to be made as a single sheet, which can become disproportionately expensive at larger sizes.

No Restriction On Size Or Shape

Instead, the Samsung TV is made up of modules of LEDs that simply slot together like a jigsaw puzzle. That means that in theory the screen could be made as large as desired without costs getting out of control. Movie buffs could even get a screen that's in the same ratio as a movie theatre screen, rather than standard 16:9 widescreen. (Source: samsung.com)

Alternatively, it could be possible to produce a set to a custom size that would take account both of the available space in a customer's home and the distance at which they sit from the screen. It could even mean repairs were more viable if a single LED failed.

The Wall: How Much Does it Cost; When Will it Ship?

It's not yet clear when the behemoth 146" television may ship, however
Samsung representatives suggested that similar units will debut later this year
"in a range of various sizes," making them available to the public. Given
Samsung's stellar reputation as a technology company which delivers quality
products, it's a given that these television units likely won't be cheap. No
official word has been given on price points.

What's Your Opinion?

Is cost the main factor when you decide how big a set you want? Or are there reasons such as space that mean you are happy enough how you are? Would you be interested in choosing a custom-sized screen or is the range of "standard" sized on offer sufficient.

Comments

I purchased a Toshiba 55" HDTV in 2003 for an eye-watering $3,000, featuring rear-projection technology. Yes, it's massively bulky! The HDTV still works, though it's suffered a few hardware hiccups; the 'convergence' where the three lights (red, green, blue) are supposed to overlap seems to be broken near the top right quadrant, which results in blurry imagery. Sometimes the entire screen separates into different colors. The contrast is very poor when watching sports (especially hockey), which makes blue look like black (go Leafs!) That said, it's been a very faithful television and it's great for watching movies. Call me frugal (or sentimental?), but when it finally dies I will replace it with a huge television - perhaps 65" should fit on my wall - let's hope! That said, I would love to have 146" of pure digital awesomeness, but I think a special purpose room for that will surely be needed!

I'm a bit amused by how, on the one hand, ever-larger TV screens are becoming available and more and more movies are being released in IMAX format, while on the other hand, people are willing to watch movies on a small phone screen.

I'm a photographer and there was a seismic shift for photographers, illustrators, and art directors back when CDs started to take over from LPs. You can include far more detail in a larger image, whether it's for a 12-inch album cover or a 146-inch TV than you can if the end result is a 5-inch CD cover or a smartphone screen. Everything has to be done differently either to take advantage of the larger size or to work within the limitations and restrictions of the smaller format. Every one of the countless tiny details crammed into every frame of, say, a "Transformers" movie becomes invisible on a small screen.

Like you, I purchased a 55" Toshiba HDTV in 2003 (also approx. $3K - 3.5K - ouch). State of the art television that served me well for many years - until I was forced to update my Bell receiver in 2016. The new receiver had HDMI inputs / outputs and unfortunately my old Toshiba was stuck with Component inputs / outputs. I tried a converter and it "sort of worked". All peripherals available today use HDMI and very few (it any used Component).

I "bit the bullet" last year and went to a Samsung 55 SUHD 4K Television at a price of about $2000 and the difference and functionality is amazing. Excellent colour and easy to set up.

My recommendation: get rid of that old sucker - it has obviously served you well for 14 years but does not compare to the colour and features of today's models. Prices of last years models have come down. Check it out.